13. What is one thing for which G.o.d has given the Sabbath to be a sign?
That He _sanctifies_ His people, or makes them _holy_. See Ex. 31:13; Eze.
20:12; and page 420.
14. What does the "psalm for the Sabbath day" suggest as proper acts and themes for thought and meditation on the Sabbath?
"It is a good thing to _give thanks unto the Lord_, and to _sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High_: to show forth _Thy loving-kindness_ in the morning, and _Thy faithfulness_ every night, _upon an instrument of ten strings_, and upon the _psaltery_; upon the _harp_ with a solemn sound.
For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad _through Thy work_: I will triumph in _the works of Thy hands_. O Lord, _how great are Thy works_! and _Thy thoughts are very deep_." Ps. 92:1-5.
15. What do the works of G.o.d declare?
"The heavens declare _the glory of G.o.d_; and the firmament showeth _His handiwork_. Day unto day uttereth _speech_, and night unto night _showeth knowledge_. There is no speech nor language, where _their voice_ is not heard." Ps. 19:1-3. See margin.
NOTE.-G.o.d designed that the Sabbath should direct the minds of men to His created works, and through these to Him, the Creator.
Nature itself speaks to our senses, telling us that there is a G.o.d, the Creator and Supreme Ruler of the universe. The Sabbath, ever pointing to G.o.d through nature, was designed to keep the Creator constantly in mind. The proper keeping of it, therefore, must naturally tend to prevent idolatry, atheism, agnosticism, infidelity, irreligion, and irreverence; and, being promotive of the knowledge and fear of G.o.d, must of necessity be a deterrent to sin. In this may its value and importance be seen.
16. Was the Sabbath designed to be a day for public worship?
"Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, _an holy convocation_." Lev. 23:3.
NOTE.-The word convocation means "a calling together," and is always used in the Bible with reference to meetings of a religious character.
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Gathering The Manna. "On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread."
"But on the seventh day ... there shall be none." Ex. 16:22, 26.
17. What example did Christ set in Sabbath observance?
"And as His custom was, _He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read_." Luke 4:16.
18. What else did Jesus do on the Sabbath?
"And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus _made the clay, and opened his eyes_." John 9:14.
NOTE.-A large share of Christ"s ministry consisted of miracles and acts of mercy performed for the relief of suffering humanity; and not a few of these were done on the Sabbath. On this day, as on other days, He "went about doing good." See next reading.
19. With what words did He justify acts of mercy on the Sabbath day?
"Wherefore it is _lawful_ to do well on the Sabbath days." Matt. 12:12.
NOTE.-Not a little of Christ"s earthly ministry was devoted to up-lifting the Sabbath, and showing the beneficent character of the Sabbath inst.i.tution. It was not meant to be a day of sorrow, austerity, or gloom. Disinterested works of love and mercy toward man or beast are always in place on the Sabbath. _Lawful_ means "according to law."
20. What day is especially indicated as the day to prepare for the Sabbath?
"And that day [the sixth day] was _the preparation_, and the Sabbath drew on." Luke 23:54. See also Ex. 16:22, 23.
NOTE.-In order to keep the Sabbath day holy, it must be remembered all through the week; and on the sixth day, or the day just before the Sabbath, special preparation should be made _to be ready_ to welcome and observe the day when it comes.
21. How did the Israelites in the wilderness on the sixth day prepare for the Sabbath?
"And it came to pa.s.s, that _on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread_, two omers for one man." Ex. 16:22.
NOTES.-The Sabbath should not be a day of either ordinary labor, idleness, or amus.e.m.e.nt, but one of rest, reflection, holy joy, worship, and helpfulness. It should be the happiest, the brightest, and the best of all the week. Such it should be made for young and old. Very early the children can be taught the stories of creation and redemption, and taken out amid the handiworks of G.o.d and taught to see Him and to commune with Him through nature. Preparation for the Sabbath, therefore, is an essential to its proper observance. G.o.d"s blessing is upon the first moments of the Sabbath as well as upon the last; and, as far as possible, everything should be got in readiness so that the entire day may be devoted to G.o.d and humanity in the manner indicated.
In making the Sabbath, G.o.d rested upon, blessed, and sanctified the day. Ex. 20:11. Whoever, then, keeps the Sabbath aright, may expect that there will be brought into his life G.o.d"s _rest_, _blessing_, and _sanctification_.
Christ And The Sabbath
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Healing On The Sabbath Day. "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." Matt. 12:12.
1. Of what did Christ say the Son of man is Lord?
"The Son of man is Lord even _of the Sabbath day_." Matt. 12:8. See also Mark 2:28.
2. Who made the Sabbath?
"All things were made _by Him_ [_Christ, the Word_]; and without Him was not anything made that was made." John 1:3.
3. Did Christ, while on earth, keep the Sabbath?
"As His custom was, _He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read_." Luke 4:16.
4. Although Lord, Maker, and an observer of the Sabbath, how was He watched and spied upon by the scribes and Pharisees on this day?
"And the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, _whether He would heal on the Sabbath day_; that they might find an accusation against Him." Luke 6:7.
5. With what question did Christ meet their false ideas and reasonings regarding Sabbath-keeping?
"Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; _Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?_"